When Did Nicodemus Come To See Jesus

Meet Nicodemus: A Pharisee Who Placed Jesus’ Body in the Tomb

For Nicodemus, as well as for many other searchers, there was a profound conviction that there was something more to life, a tremendous truth waiting to be uncovered. His visit to Jesus Christ was conducted in secret by a senior member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish top court, because he feared the young instructor may be the Messiah promised to Israel by God.

Nicodemus

• Nicodemus was a major Pharisee and a well-recognized religious leader of the Jewish people, and he was known for the following: Furthermore, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was ancient Israel’s ultimate court. References to the Bible: John 3:1-21, John 7:50-52, and John 19:38-42 are the three episodes in the Bible that tell the tale of Nicodemus and his friendship with Jesus, respectively. Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin is what he is known for. Nicodemus possessed a sage and inquisitive intellect, which served him well. He was dissatisfied with the Pharisees’ strict adherence to the law. His intense desire for truth, along with the bravery to seek out the truth at its source, made him a hero. As soon as Nicodemus realized he was dealing with the Messiah, he was prepared to defy the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees and bury Jesus with honor. Weaknesses: At first, Nicodemus was deterred from pursuing Jesus in the open because he was afraid of what others might say.

What Does the Bible Tell Us About Nicodemus?

Nicodemus has his first appearance in the Bible in John 3, when he goes in search of Jesus at night. That nightfall, Nicodemus learnt from Jesus that he would have to be reborn, which he duly did. The Chief Priests and Pharisees then sought to have Jesus imprisoned for fraud roughly six months before the Crucifixion. Nicodemus raised his voice in protest, imploring the congregation to give Jesus a fair hearing. Nicodemus is the final person to appear in the Bible after Jesus’ death. Nicodemus, in collaboration with his friend and fellow Sanhedrin member, Joseph of Arimathea, carefully cared for the corpse of the crucified Savior, entrusting the body’s remains to Joseph’s tomb after the crucifixion.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Nicodemus is identified by Jesus as a famous Pharisee who also serves as a leader of the Jewish people. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, Israel’s supreme court, where he served until his death. Nicodemus, whose name literally translates as “bloodless,” stood up for Jesus when the Pharisees plotted to kill him: Nicademus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own, inquired, “Does our law condemn a guy without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” Nicodemus was a member of their own group.

• When he first learned of Jesus’ ministry, he became upset and perplexed by the words the Lord was preaching to the people.
• As a result, he mustered tremendous bravery to seek out Jesus and to ask questions of him.
• Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in removing Jesus’ body from the crucifixion and burying it in a tomb, putting his own safety and reputation at stake in the process.
• These efforts called into question the legalism and hypocrisy of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees.
• This amount of spice was sufficient to properly bury royalty, demonstrating to Nicodemus that Jesus was indeed the King of the Jewish people.

Life Lessons From Nicodemus

Nicodemus was not going to rest until he discovered the truth. He wished desperately to comprehend, and he had a sneaking suspicion that Jesus had the solution. Nicodemus went to Jesus’ house at night so that no one would see him when he first arrived. He was concerned about what may happen if he talked to Jesus in broad daylight, when people would overhear him and denounce him to the authorities. When Nicodemus came across Jesus, the Lord realized the urgency of his situation. Nicodemus, a bereaved and befuddled guy, was catered to by Jesus, the Living Word, with much compassion and respect, as did the entire congregation.

Following his conversion to Christianity, Nicodemus’ life was irrevocably altered.

Jesus is the fount of all truth and the source of all purpose in life.

Whenever we are reborn, like Nicodemus was, we must never lose sight of the fact that we have received forgiveness for our sins and eternal life as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Nicodemus is a role model for all Christians, serving as a symbol of faith and courage.

Key Bible Verses

• “Very honestly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they have been born again,” Jesus said. (John 3:3, New International Version)
• “How is it possible for someone to be born when they are old?” Nicodemus inquired. “Surely they are unable to enter their mother’s womb for a second time in order to birth!” (John 3:4, New International Version)
• In fact, God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that whomever believes in him would not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). In fact, God did not bring his Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but rather in order to rescue it through him. (John 3:16-17, New International Version)

Who Was Nicodemus in the Bible & Was He Saved?

According to John 3, Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus in the middle of the night with a question for him. He heard an answer that would be hidden in the minds of Christians for decades to come.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must BeBorn Again

Now there was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was the ruler of the Jews. When this man came to Jesus in the middle of the night, he told him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God, since no one can do the marvels that you perform unless God is there with him.” When he asked Jesus about it, he received the following response: “Truly, truly, I say to you, until one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “How is it possible for a man to be born when he is old?” Nicodemus inquired.

Is it possible for him to enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” According to Jesus’ response: “Truthfully, really, I say to you, unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When the body gives birth to anything, it is called flesh, and when the Spirit gives birth to something, it is called spirit.

• The same holds true for everybody who is born of the Spirit.” “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus inquired of him.
• Indeed, I say to you, we speak of what we know and offer witness to what we have witnessed, yet you do not benefit from our testimony.
• Except for the Son of Man, no one has ever risen into heaven except for him who descended from heaven.
• (See also John 3:1-15)

Nicodemus’ Secret Conversation with Jesus

Throughout John 3, Nicodemus acknowledges that God must have sent Jesus as a result of all of the miraculous wonders that he did. In his response, Jesus gets right to the core of the problem, saying, “. no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, pondering both figuratively and practically, wonders how anybody can be born twice (John 3:4). Jesus resumes the discourse with Nicodemus, instructing him on the importance of being born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8).

John 3:12 – Jesus bemoans the fact that Nicodemus cannot seem to understand such a lofty notion as heaven, and he turns to an Old Testament account (Numbers 4-9), which a Pharisee was almost certain to have heard previously, in order to explain how one might be born again and go to paradise.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whomever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life,” John says in the context of Nicodemus’s tale.

In fact, God did not bring his Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order to save the world through him.” (See also John 3:16-17.)

Nicodemus was Not a Spy

Nicodemus’ motivations have been called into doubt by certain researchers. They stated that he came on behalf of the Sanhedrin as a type of snoop, with the mission of tricking Jesus into delivering an official response based on the questions he would pose. After all, Nicodemus uses the first-person plural to express himself (” We know You have come from God as a Teacher “). However, there are three issues with this approach.

1. In light of the fact that other Jewish authorities confronted Jesus in the open, Nicodemus would not have needed to sneak through the night to see Jesus
2. Yet, he did not inquire and instead stated that Jesus was a Teacher from God. To be sure, Nicodemus later reveals himself to be a believer when he arrives with Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body for a proper Jewish burial (John 19:39)
3. But, more importantly, Nicodemus later reveals himself to be a believer when he comes to prepare Jesus’ body for a proper Jewish burial (John 19:39).

Nicodemus was Honestly Seeking God

The most likely explanation is that Nicodemus, while not entirely convinced of Jesus’ divinity at the time, had witnessed the marvels performed by Jesus. He devised a strategy for seeing Jesus by comparing what he understood about the Old Testament with what people expected to happen when the Messiah came. As a result, he arrived sincere in his search for God. By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Nicodemus had gained the confidence to share his newfound faith with the rest of the world. According to Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, “and though he arrived by night, subsequently he openly acknowledged Christ as his Lord and Savior.”

What Else Does the Bible Say About Nicodemus?

Nicodemus warned a group of unbelieving Pharisees in John 7:50-51 about the consequences of unjustly taking Jesus. Afterward, in John 19:39, after Jesus had been killed, Nicodemus joined forces with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus in accordance with Jewish tradition. He brought “a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five pounds,” according to the Bible (John 19:39). Adapted from Alfred Edersheim’s The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Book III, Chapter VI) and from the lecture notes of Dr.

Photograph courtesy of Unsplash/JamesColeman.

Nicodemus, the mystery man of Holy Week

He came to Jesus in the middle of the night, slipping away to see the guy who was doing the miracles. He was a powerful Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, which he served for many years. He wasn’t meant to hang around with the ragtag group of people who followed Jesus. Nicodemus, on the other hand, needed to know: Was the charming Galilean for real? The following are some of Jesus’ most renowned teachings, as recorded in the Gospel of John: Nobody can glimpse the kingdom of God until they have been “born again,” as he explained to Nicodemus in his sermon.

1. Those lines are still often used today — just look at the swarms of John 3:16 placards that can be found at sporting events — but the man to whom they are addressed, Nicodemus, remains a bit of a mystery.
2. Nicodemus is revered as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic faiths.
3. Others Christians, on the other hand, describe him as a coward who has kept his religion hidden.
4. In the Gospel of John, he is only referenced a total of three times.
5. Later, Nicodemus informs the Pharisees that, according to Jewish law, Jesus should be given an opportunity to be heard before he is executed.
6. The History channel’s “The Bible” miniseries, which concludes on Easter Sunday (March 31), gives Nicodemus a more prominent role, portraying him as Jesus’ most formidable adversary among the Jerusalem Pharisees.

Until the arrival of Nicodemus, the majority of Jesus’ disciples had been “ordinary people,” according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his book “Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week.” The former pope says that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were “two highly recognized representatives of Israel’s educated class who had not yet ventured to confess their discipleship” to Jesus.

In the words of Buchanan, “I felt it would be interesting to examine a possible route for this individual.” “What was it that drew him to Jesus that night to ask honest questions?” says the narrator.

Nicodemus feels compelled to seek out Jesus, who was gaining popularity for his miraculous healings at the time.

‘Because of his education, the way he thinks, and the way he seeks a clear-cut response from Jesus,’ Buchanan said, “he’s a figure that modern Christians can identify to.” Nicodemus was perplexed by Jesus’ mysterious statement, which said that individuals must be “born again.” This remark continues to perplex Christians today.

1. Despite the fact that Nicodemus is not on the minds of many current evangelicals, they are extremely concerned with his discussion with Jesus in the Gospel of John, according to Timothy Larsen, a professor of Christian philosophy at Wheaton College in Illinois.
2. “Evangelicals have historically given a great deal of thought to when this happened,” Larsen said of the experience of being born again.
3. Scholar Rosamond Rodman contends that the freed slaves who migrated to Nicodemus, Kansas, after the Civil War wanted rebirth as well, a goal that predates the arrival of Colson.
4. Rodman, on the other hand, contends that the town’s founders had good grounds to commemorate the biblical character.

According to Rodman, “Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the same way that African-Americans came to the Bible: at night and in secret, rightly fearful of the repercussions.” According to Benedict and other Christians, however, the tale of Nicodemus does not conclude in darkness, but rather in light.

In his letter, Benedict says, “The amount of the balm is remarkable and well exceeds any typical proportions.” “This is a funeral fit for a king.” Copyright: If you have any questions about copyright, you should contact the item’s distributor, Religion News Service LLC.

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Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?

Answer The only place in the Bible where we can find out anything about Nicodemus is in the Gospel of John. His status as a Pharisee is stated in John 3:1. The Phariseeswere a group of Jews who were zealous in their adherence to the word of the Law and who frequently stood in the way of Jesus throughout His mission. They were frequently chastised by Jesus for their strict adherence to the law (see Matthew 23). In addition to being a Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus (who later became the apostle Paul) was also a Christian (Philippians 3:5).

1. John 7:50–51 states that Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews at the time of Jesus’ death.
2. In the time of Christ, the Jewish people were granted a degree of self-rule under Roman control, and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem served as the final court of appeals for matters pertaining to Jewish law and religion.
3. It indicates that Nicodemus was a member of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem at the time of his death.
4. Many have believed that Nicodemus was terrified or embarrassed to approach Jesus in the open air, so he chose to pay him a visit at night instead.
5. There are a variety of additional possibilities as well.
6. The investigation of any teachers or other public personalities who could be leading the Jewish people astray would have been his obligation as a member of their ruling council.
7. When Nicodemus expresses skepticism, Jesus reprimands him (possibly gently), reminding him that, as a leader of the Jews, he should already be aware of the situation (John 3:10).

We meet Nicodemus again in the Bible, this time in his formal role as a member of the Sanhedrin, who is debating what to do about Jesus at the moment of his death.

However, Nicodemus argues that Jesus should not be discarded or condemned until the Pharisees in power have heard from Him personally: “Does our law condemn a man without first giving him a hearing and understanding what he does?” Nicodemus argues.

The last time Nicodemus is mentioned in the Bible is in John 19, shortly after Jesus’ crucifixion.

Joseph is characterized as a wealthy individual in the Gospel of John, and as a member of the Council in Mark 15:43.

Joseph went to Pilate and requested for the corpse of Jesus.

The huge quantity of funeral spices would appear to imply that Nicodemus was a wealthy individual who held a high regard for Jesus and his teachings.

Was he a devout follower of Christ?

On these topics, the Bible is deafeningly quiet, and there are no reputable extra-biblical references that can provide solutions.

We might speculate that Nicodemus’ final documented act was his public statement of faith, however we are not told how public this declaration of faith was. His portrayal in the Gospel of John is mainly positive, which shows that his religious beliefs were genuine in the first place.

Why Did Nicodemus Come to Jesus at Night?

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” – John 3:1-3 Nicodemus visited Jesus in the dead of night. Why? Each sentence of this brief passage highlights one of three interrelated answers to that question.

1. He was respected as a teacher of Israel and served as a member of the Sanhedrin, or Jewish tribunal.
2. More importantly, a public meeting with Jesus could have jeopardized his position and his reputation.
3. Why did Nicodemus go to Jesus at all?
4. The text makes it clear that he believed Jesus was, at the very least, empowered by God.
5. His heart longed to understand what his brain could not.
6. While the first two revolve around who Nicodemus was, the third is centered on who Jesus is.
7. (John 1:9).

Nicodemus was simultaneously drawn to this light and terrified of what it might reveal.

Stepping into the light would challenge his self-image and his worldview.

It seemed safer to remain in the shadows.

As the Beaver inThe Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobeproclaimed about Aslan, “Oh no, he is not safe but he is good.” Jesus will bring God’s holy light and truth into the darkness of Nicodemus’ life.

ReflectRespond:Do you come to Jesus with fear, pride, or holy expectation that you are encountering the light of the world?

He shines his light into every dark area of your life so that he can reveal, heal, and lead you into his perfect truth.

In ournew six-week Bible study on the book of 1 John, you are invited to live and celebrate true life in Christ.

How do we know that we are genuine Christians, and how can we recognize authentic faith in others?

The Apostle John taught that you can enjoy full assurance through believing in the incarnate Son of God, walking in the light of obedience, and loving God and his children. Embark on this study with us today! Comments will be approved before showing up.

Nicodemus Comes To Jesus By Night

During our recent study, the Holy Spirit has been communicating to us about faith — specifically, about believing in Jesus. Earlier in John 2, the Holy Spirit informed us about John and Andrew following and conversing with Jesus, and how they came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah as a consequence of their experiences. Furthermore, they were joined in their belief by their brothers, Peter Philip and Nathaniel. Nathanel was the only one who believed because of a sign, whilst the other four were convinced because of what they heard.

He has the ability to do miracles!

As a consequence, they placed their trust in Him.

They thought He was capable of doing miracles, but did they truly believe?

Nicodemus Comes To Jesus By Night

In addition to the Jewish authorities, a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nicodemus seems to have been there when Jesus performed miracles and signs. Our first lesson of this subject teaches us that Nicodemus was an adherent of the Pharisees and a leader of Jewish society. Now there was a man of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus in the middle of the night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is present with them.” 3:1-2 (John 3:1-2) (NASB) The title “ruler of the Jews” refers to his position as a member of the Sanhedrin Council of the Jewish community.

1. The Sanhedrin Council was the most important religious authority in the Jewish nation at the time of its establishment.
2. According to John 3:10, Nicodemus was also a teacher of the people of Israel.
3. Nicodemus was not your typical Jewish guy, to put it mildly.
4. He was certain that God was present with Jesus, and he want to learn more.
5. Nicodemus, on the other hand, did not appear to desire to be seen by the other Pharisees and/or members of the Sanhedrin Council, according to the evidence.
6. That was not what he did.
7. Throughout the text, we learn that the Pharisees were opposed to Jesus and were exerting pressure on the other members of the group who were beginning to believe in Him.

they not only follow the same pattern, but they also provide enthusiastic support to others who follow it.

We exert pressure on others to think and act in the same way that we do.

As a result, we apply pressure and confront them in a courteous manner.

The Pharisees were engaging in the same practice.

They would slander your reputation with the intent of ruining you as a result of it.

One book in particular must be trusted by all of us, and that book is the Bible.

Because God has spoken to us via the pages of that book.

It is ultimately the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sins and leads us into the light of knowledge (John 16:13).

If we don’t, we risk coercing others into complying with our demands without actually altering their beliefs.

As a result, it indicates that Nicodemus was aware of the danger of being associated with Jesus. As a result, he did not want anybody to be aware that he was paying a visit to Jesus. As a result, he arrived at night.

You Must Be Born Again

We are not told about their first words of greeting or their first hugs with one other. Jesus made no mention of His ministry or the way in which God had used Him. He was not discussing the number of people who attended Sunday School, the yearly church budget, how many activities the church offered, or the most recent construction program of His church with this Pharisee, among other things. Jesus was not a person who took pride in his accomplishments or measured his success by worldly standards.

• It was a question regarding the most important thing in Nicodemus’ life — his everlasting fate – and it was a difficult one to answer.
• It was necessary for him to be created from above.
• The phrase “born again” was used by Jesus.
• It is also used by Christians to refer to “true” Christians, however the phrase “born from above” should be used instead of “born again,” as it is more accurate.
• Consequently, it appears that he confronted Jesus in a friendly manner.
• How can he possibly enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, isn’t that true?” 3:4 (John 3:4) (NASB) Nicodemus simply happened to miss it.
• When we tell others about Jesus, this is a common occurrence.

Born of Water And The Spirit

As a result, Jesus attempted to assist him. According to Jesus’ response: “Truthfully, really, I say to you, unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” 3:5 (John 3:5) (NASB) It might be difficult to comprehend what Jesus is saying here. Consequently, we would want to take a moment to pause and analyze this verse before moving further. We’re interested in learning what Jesus was getting at. Consider yourself to be Nicodemus for a brief while. You’ve been keeping an eye on John the Baptist and Jesus for quite some time.

• First and foremost, you would have witnessed Jesus performing miracles and signs.
• Jesus performed miracles and signs, according to John 2:1-12 and 23.
• The baptism of John and Jesus’ disciples, on the other hand, was about repentance rather than salvation.
• His baptism served as a preparation for entering the kingdom.
• Matthew 3:11 (KJV) (NASB) Baptism was all about repentance, after all!
• According to Mark 1:5 (NASB), baptism was a sign of purity, as shown in John 3:25 and 26.
• Water had no effect on anyone’s spiritual well-being.

Living water is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit, according to the teaching of John 7:37-39.

John and Jesus did not practice Christian baptism at the time.

As a result, the emphasis in John 3:5 is on the water rather than the act of baptism.

Water was used to allude to the purification from sin (Hebrews 1:3; 2 Peter 1:9), and as we have previously mentioned, live water is used to refer to the Holy Spirit in John 7:37-39 (see also John 7:38).

Consequently, being born from above (John 3:3) leads in being cleaned of our sins and being regenerated and recreated by the Holy Spirit, as described in John 3:3.

How can we be sure that this is what Jesus was referring to when he said In the course of the rest of His words, Jesus really provides us with the solution.

Do not be surprised that I told you that you “must be reborn” in order to survive.

3:6-8 (John 3:6-8).

He is just referring to the Holy Spirit.

The new birth – the birth from above – can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit and only via the Holy Spirit. He arrives and vanishes in a flash. He saves us at the time and place of His choosing.

How Can These Things Be?

Nicodemus, on the other hand, remained perplexed. He couldn’t comprehend how a person could join the kingdom of God without first performing some sort of action. From his earliest memories, Nicodemus had been taught, and he had taught others, that the only way to gain entrance into God’s kingdom was to do good deeds that gained God’s favor. As a result, he was taken aback by what he had heard from Jesus. “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus inquired of Him. John 3:9 (NASB) And Jesus swiftly admonished him to consider his options further.

Indeed, I say to you, we tell of what is known to us and testify to what we have witnessed, yet you refuse to believe our words or accept our evidence.” 3:10–11 (John 3:10–11) (NASB) What was it about Jesus’ remarks about being born from above that caused this highly educated and well-respected religious man so much consternation?

• It is the word “we” that contains the first half of the solution to our queries.
• He repeated himself three times.
• The “we” appears to allude to both John the Baptist and Jesus, given that they had been ministering together at the time of this verse.
• Both of them were aware of what was going on.
• What was Jesus’ goal in all of this?
• Nicodemus was being persuaded to believe in Jesus by Jesus’ explanations.
• What would you say if someone came up to you and asked you about Jesus?
• Is it possible for you to inform him that Jesus was both God and man?

Years ago, I asked a Christian for advice and received the following response: “I would recommend that they come to our church.” According to another, “I would advise them to study the Bible.” Alternatively, “I would suggest that he/she speak with the preacher.” Despite the fact that these reactions are excellent, they are not the greatest solution.

• I’m not sure how you’ll react if I tell you heavenly things and you don’t trust me since I told you worldly things first.
• John 3:12-13 is a biblical passage (NASB) To begin, Jesus used an earthly metaphor, but Nicodemus could not grasp the significance of it.
• Occasionally, when Christians spread the good news of Jesus, we have a tendency to overcomplicate things.
• What men and women need to know, though, is: who is Jesus Christ?
• All of these other activities are really distractions.
• He wants us to discuss evolution or abortion, among other things.
• After capturing Nicodemus’ attention, Jesus reminded him of Moses’ snake, which he remembered.
• John 3:14-15 is a passage from the Bible (NASB) Nicodemus was aware of the occurrences recorded in Numbers 21:4-9.
• As a result, Jesus tells him that Moses created a bronze snake and raised it over his head.

Jesus was emphasizing the point that they were rescued from the serpents because they had faith. As a result, any man and woman can be saved simply by placing their faith in the Son of Man — Jesus. Each and every one of them who believe will enjoy eternal life.

Whoever Believes In Him Shall Not Perish

Nicodemus must have realized that Jesus was referring to Himself when he asked the question. It is only reasonable that he would have been perplexed as to how and why Jesus would be raised from the dead. Consequently, Jesus informs Nicodemus that God loves the entire universe, which includes him. In fact, God loved the world so much that He gave His only born Son, so that whomever believes in Him will not perish but would have eternal life with Him. John 3:16 is a biblical passage that teaches that God is love (NASB) As a result, God sent His one-of-a-kind Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world.

However, this is owing to a mistranslation of the Greek term MONOGENES, which should have been translated as “uniqueness.” Interestingly, this identical Greek term is also used in Hebrews 11:17 to describe Abraham’s son Isaac as “the only begotten,” yet Abraham had two sons: Isaac and Ishmael, who were both born to Abraham.

This indicates that the translation of “only begotten” should be “one and only” or “unique,” rather than “only begotten.” According to the New International Version, Jesus is the “one and only Son.” God nailed His one-of-a-kind Son to the cross in order to ensure that everyone who believes in, trusts on, or depends on Him will survive into the centuries to come.

1. It entails placing one’s trust in Jesus.
2. Consider every chapter in the New Testament that has anything to say about how a person comes to believe in Jesus Christ and you’ll realize that the single criteria, which is repeated again and time again, is that we must believe in, rely on, or trust in Him.
3. Genuine trust in Jesus is followed by repentance, confession, and baptism.
4. Faith and godly repentance are two aspects of the same process.

Conclusion

A notion or a fact can be best explained by saying it several times in different ways, or by repeating the concept several times. As a result, Jesus does this. It is important to remember that God did not bring His Son into the world so that He might judge the world, but so that the world may be rescued through Him. His followers are not judged; nevertheless, those who do not believe have already been judged, since they have not placed their faith in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the only born Son of God.

1. Because everyone who does evil despises the Light and is afraid of coming to the Light for fear that his sins would be exposed, no one who does evil will come to the Light.
2. 3:17–21 (John 3:17) (NASB) Jesus’ message was straightforward.
3. “How are we going to get away?” is the question.
4. The only way to do so is to put your faith in Jesus.
5. Nicodemus could only have eternal life if he followed a specific path.
6. If he did nothing, he would be judged on the other side of eternity, which would be devastating.
7. He was now in conversation with Jesus, the one and only Son of God.

He had to come to believe that Jesus was God and repent in order to receive pardon.

It all boils down to trust, and nothing else!

This pious ruler, teacher, and Pharisee was eventually persuaded to trust in Jesus when his heart bowed the knee of faith.

In order to follow Jesus, he was willing to give up his position and status within the Jewish community.

When Nicodemus heard Jesus speak, he was convinced by his words and came to believe in him.

Do you realize that God loves you and is calling you to Himself even if you have never professed faith in Jesus Christ?

If you already believe in Jesus, are you sharing your faith with others by telling them about the one-of-a-kind Son of God? In the Bible, Jesus is known as the Light of the World. Come, believe in the Light, and assist Him in illuminating a dark world.

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Why at Night?

In the Gospels, A.Nicodemus occurs three times, the first of which is recorded in John 3. You are referring to the first appearance, which is documented in John 3. A clear depiction of the route to salvation is provided through the discourse between Christ and Nicodemus recorded in this text. It is possible that this Scripture text has been utilized more often than any other in witnessing to the unbelievers by believers down through the generations. According to this narrative, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus in the middle of the night.

• Perhaps the most common theory is that he was just terrified that his colleagues would discover him with Jesus in his presence.
• In this passage, Joseph is characterized as a hidden follower of Jesus, who was hiding from the Jews because he was scared of them.
• Another plausible explanation is that evening was the most convenient time in both Jesus’ and Nicodemus’ schedules at the time of their encounter.
• Nevertheless, He always made time for individuals, even if it meant spending time with someone like Nicodemus at a time when everyone else was asleep.
• Or to put it another way, was it possible for anything or anybody good to originate from a low-class town like Nazareth (cf.
• As a result, he met with Him while no one else was there.
• Or was it Jesus, whom he was attempting to safeguard?

A third explanation given is that the Jews believed it was spiritually beneficial to read the Scriptures late into the night, an argument that is either less well known or does not have as much backing as the other two.

However, it is quite unlikely that the other two narratives would make any note of this information if it were of no significance.

One intriguing observation is that throughout his Gospel, John places a strong emphasis on the contrast between light and darkness.

“Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

That is a significant verse in relation to this topic.

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Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?

Nicodemus is well remembered for meeting with Jesus in secret at night because he was afraid of being discovered by the Jewish authorities. He was a Pharisee who was also quite wealthy. Get your free Bible study guide by clicking on the following link: Getting a Second Chance in Life

Browse Article Contents:

• Nicademus’s meaning
• His appearances in the book of John
• And his genealogy. Meeting with Jesus in private
• “Defending” Jesus in a rhetorical manner
• Remove Jesus off the cross
• Concluding remarks

Nicodemus’ name

A nickname for Nicodemus, o (Nikodemos), is made up of two parts: the first element, “nike,” which indicates triumph, and the second component, “demos,” which means “people” or “ordinary people.” So his given name might indicate “victory of the people” or “victorious among the people.”

Nicodemus in the Gospel of John

The tale of Nicodemus exists exclusively in the Gospel of John’s first three chapters, and it is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible.

• When Nicodemus sees Jesus in private, John 3:1-21 is recorded
• John 7:43-53 is recorded
• John 19:38-42 is recorded as Nicodemus assisting in the crucifixion of Jesus
• And John 20:38-42 is recorded as Nicodemus assisting in the crucifixion of Jesus.

Every time Nicodemus is referenced in the Bible, he speaks and acts with more confidence on behalf of Christ. In John 3, he just pays a secret visit to Jesus in order to get information, however in John 7, Nicodemus intervenes on Jesus’ behalf. Nicodemus, on the other hand, is no longer frightened by the Pharisees and instead takes direct action to assist in the removal of Jesus from the crucifixion in John 19. Here is a description of Nicodemus’ activities and his response to Jesus in detail.

1) Nicodemus meets Jesus secretly

Nicodemus first appears in the Bible in John chapter 3, when he expresses a desire to learn more about Jesus and His teachings. Nicodemus is a Greek philosopher who lived in the first century BCE. “Rabbi, we are aware that you are a teacher who has come from God,” Nicodemus says as an introduction to Jesus. Because no one could achieve the miracles you are performing if God were not present” (John 3:2). Jesus dismisses Nicodemus’ complement and instantly redirects the conversation away from Himself and toward Nicodemus’ spiritual state.

Nicodemus begins to doubt the validity of his being born again and returning to his mother’s womb for a second time at this point in the story.

When Nicodemus is asked about this conversion, he responds, “How can these things be” once again (John 3:9).

Then Jesus goes on to explain, “How can I teach you about heavenly or spiritual things if you don’t even understand the earthly things about which I am speaking?” (Matthew 13:34) Jesus shifts the conversation once again to Moses and Old Testament history, which Nicodemus would have been familiar with from his childhood upbringing.

(See, for example, John 3:14-15.) As a result, John 3:16 is one of the most famous lines in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only born Son, that whomever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is demonstrating to Nicodemus that the kingdom of God is not founded on political power and strength, but rather on the selfless, sacrificial love of God, which ends in the salvation of man and the gift of everlasting life to those who believe.

Jesus also informs Nicodemus that God did not send Jesus to condemn and judge the world, but rather to redeem the world from sin.

The truth, on the other hand, is revealed in order that his works may be plainly recognized, and that they have been done in the name of God” (John 3:19, 21).

2) Nicodemus’ defense of Jesus

The second time that John mentions Nicodemus is when the Jewish authorities are attempting to kidnap Jesus from his disciples. Nicodemus, on the other hand, puts a stop to their deeds by interrogating their motivations, stating, “Our Law does not judge a man until it first hears from him and understands what he is doing, does it?” (See also John 7:51.) The Pharisees reply by launching a personal assault on Nicodemus, stating, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? ” “Look around, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee” (John 7:52).

Things change, however, when Nicodemus reappears, and he declares himself to be on the side of Jesus the Messiah, which is a significant development.

3) Nicodemus’ at the cross

Finally, following Jesus’ death, Nicodemus takes the daring and public step of removing Jesus’ corpse from the crucifixion and assisting in the burial of Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. Nicodemus also personally donates around 100 pounds of expensive spices for Jesus’ burial, which he himself purchases. Nicodemus is no longer acting in the shadows of society. He is a staunch supporter of Jesus and His mission. He has progressed from being a nighttime quiet seeker to becoming a vocal defender, and eventually to being a courageous follower who takes physical action to worship Jesus as his Lord and Master.

Conclusion

When you think of Nicodemus’s narrative, where do you picture yourself? Are you a lone truth seeker who prefers to operate under the cover of darkness? Are you someone who is interested in learning more about Jesus and His teachings? Are you interested in learning more about salvation, heaven, and the process of being born again? Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual leader in your area of influence, yet you just talk vocally and sometimes hesitantly about spiritual matters? If you’re the latter, are you someone who takes bold and tangible action to protect the reputation and purpose of Jesus Christ?

3. Nicodemus Meets Jesus (John 3)

The main point is that we must all be reborn. Key Verse: “You must all be born again,” I say, and you shouldn’t be astonished by my statement. – John 3:7 (NIV) Props include a captain’s hat and a life jacket.

Background/Review

PPT CUE is an abbreviation for PowerPoint CUE. Who can tell me what the meaning of the word Emmanuel is? Say:Emmanuel is a Greek word that signifies “God with us.” (See Matthew 1:23 for further information.) This was the ideal name for Jesus because, while He has always been and will continue to be God, He chose to take on a human body in order to come to be with us on earth. The ability to see Him, touch Him, talk to Him, and listen to Him was available to everyone. Last week, we looked at Jesus as a kid, and this week, we looked at Him as a mature man.

It was important for Jesus to perform this miracle secretly since it was not yet God’s ideal moment for everyone to discover who he was.

While Jesus was teaching in the synagogues, the news of His teaching spread across the whole region (Luke 4:14-15).

“Many people witnessed the wonderful signs He was performing,” according to the Bible. “And they put their faith in His name.” (See also John 2:23b.) Some people believed in Him, while others did not, but one thing is certain – people were taking note of Him and His actions.

A Visitor In The Night (John 3:1-20)

Inquire as to who has brought their Bible to work today. Say:It gives me great pleasure to see you with your Bibles. Now, I’m about to say something that I don’t say very often. Please refrain from opening your Bibles for the next several minutes! All Bibles have been closed. Question: Who can memorize John 3:16 without having to look it up? Teacher: Invite a student to come up and recite the passage. Thank you for your assistance. Say this:John 3:16 is arguably the most well-known scripture in the whole Bible.

It is a beautiful verse that speaks of God’s love for us and how we might be reconciled with Him if we place our faith in Jesus.

Ask:Again, without looking, who can tell me what Bible tale John 3:16 is based on without being asked?

Nicodemus Meets Jesus

PPT CUENicodemus was a religious leader who belonged to the Jewish faith. He belonged to a religious sect known as the Pharisees. These folks were well-versed in the laws of God. They were adamant that the Jewish people should adhere to the law and not become like the non-Jewish people who lived in their immediate vicinity. This might appear to be a positive development, yet they had grown conceited in their hearts. They were pleased with themselves because they were God’s chosen people, and they were pleased with themselves because they understood so much about God’s law.

The Pharisees made the error of believing that God was pleased with them since they followed all of the laws (Matthew 5:20).

Due to their extensive knowledge of God’s word, the Pharisees were well aware that God had promised to send the Messiah.

They expected the Messiah to arrive in a regal robe, not swaddling garments, as they had anticipated.

They also took pleasure in the authority they possessed as leaders.

Consider what the Bible has to say about a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus.

Unless you have a copy of the “red letter edition,” the words spoken by Jesus will be written in red ink.

He was a member of the Jewish ruling class.

We are confident that God is with you.

It’s late at night.

Perhaps he wanted to remain hidden so that no one would notice him.

Nicodemus did not want the other Pharisees to find out that he had gone to meet Jesus because he did not want them to judge him.

Nicodemus must have had a lot of guts to even attempt to leave the city!

Nicodemus most likely pondered what to say to Jesus for a lengthy period of time.

According to the Bible, Jesus has the ability to read the hearts of mankind (Matthew 9:4, 12:25).

Jesus said, “It is not my will that you should perish, but that I should rise up on your behalf.” “What I’m going to tell you is completely accurate.

He was taught by Jesus that he needed to be “born again.” It is possible to say that the original terms for “born again” were “born from above” (according to Strong’s concordance).

“How is it possible for me to be born when I am old?” Nicodemus inquired.

I’m not going to be able to have a second birth!” Jesus responded by saying, “What I’m going to tell you is completely accurate.

It is people who give birth to other people.

When I say, ‘You must all be born again,’ don’t be startled if you hear me say it.

This is the process of receiving a new life from God.

Nicodemus would have been well aware of this.

God promised them that one day He would wipe away the filth of their sin with the cleansing power of water.

Water represented the remission of sins (John 13:8-11), and the Spirit would provide them with a new and abundant life (John 15:11).

Jesus also made it plain that this new birth could not be brought about by Nicodemus’ efforts, but that it could only be brought about by God’s grace (John 3:6).

And I will give you a new heart, and I will infuse you with a new spirit as a result.

Ezekiel 36:25-27: “And I will put my Spirit in you, so that you will follow my decrees and be cautious to keep my laws.” NLTSay: Nicodemus had been taught his entire life to think that he might earn God’s approval by following a set of predetermined guidelines.

“How is this possible?” he inquired once again of Jesus.

“What part of this do you not understand?

He referred to himself as the “Son of Man,” which was a title given to the Messiah, whom the Jews had been looking forward to for centuries (John 3:13, Daniel 7:13).

God, in His benevolence, provided a means for His people to be protected from the fatal snake bites.

Everyone who glanced at the snake would not perish as a result of their actions.

There was no other option for saving one’s life.

The only way for individuals to be saved from the consequences of their sin would be for them to place their faith in Him.

Anyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will instead be granted eternal life in His presence.

In order to save the world via His Son, he sent his Son.

Anyone who does not believe, on the other hand, has already been judged.

– John 3:16-18 (New International Version) Everyone is guilty of transgressing against the will of God.

This applies to EVERYONE, not just you (Romans 5:12).

God has promised Nicodemus that EVERYONE who puts their faith in Him will be SAVED from the punishment they deserve, and that they will no longer be cut off from His presence.

Teacher: Inviting around 8 volunteers is a good idea.

Consider the following scenario: a group of individuals has been shipwrecked on a desert island.

What would happen to these folks if they were deprived of food and water?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that they will all perish unless they are saved immediately.

One day, a rescue boat arrives on the island to assist the survivors.

The boat is large enough to accommodate all of the islanders and their belongings.

They must have faith that the boat will transport them to safety, and they must climb on board the boat.

Each individual has the option of deciding whether or not to board the rescue boat.

After then, a rescue boat arrived.

Those who did not make it onto the boat will perish as a result.

Optional presentation, without the participation of volunteers: Consider the scenario of a group of individuals who have been shipwrecked and are stuck on a desert island.

Inquire as to what would happen to the people if they were deprived of food and water.

Don’t lose sight of the fact that they will all perish unless they are saved immediately.

One day, a rescue boat arrives on the island to assist the survivors.

Inquire as to what each individual must do in order to be rescued by the boat in question.

In other words, there is just ONE way to be rescued.

Some folks may decide that they do not want to get on the boat.

However, a rescue boat arrived.

Those who did not make it onto the boat will perish as a result.

The regulations that Nicodemus had been following may be lifted off his shoulders.

He said, “The verdict is in.” Although light has been brought into the world, individuals have preferred darkness over light.

Everyone who engages in wicked deeds despises the light.

They are concerned that what they are doing will be observed.

He does this so that it will be clear that he has accomplished his goals with the assistance of God.

If so, tell me about it.

Once I’ve determined that the infection is present, I have two options.

As a result, it’s extremely unpleasant to look at, and I’m embarrassed to admit what I did.

The infection would spread throughout your body, causing you to become extremely ill.

Our sin is quite similar to that illness.

(John 8:12).

When we recognize that we have a sin problem, we can either choose to go to Jesus and ask him to forgive us, or we can choose to cover up our sin by turning away from Jesus.

But we must believe more than that.

Jesus fulfills every promise God ever made in His scripture regarding the Messiah that He will send.

Our inherent state is that we are guilty of sin and that we shall suffer as a result of our actions.

Putting your faith in Him will result in your salvation!

When you receive this new life, you are reborn into your old body.

– John 3:7 (NIV) PPT CUE: The Most Important Thing The main point is that we must all be reborn.

His struggles were so great that we can only imagine what he was going through.

But, even so, we can’t help but question why he would want to keep his first visit to the country as secret as he could possibly keep it.

The beginning of a fatal war between Jesus and the Jewish authorities was signaled by that first audacious cleansing of the Temple, the outcome of which could not be in question.

Nicodemus, on the other hand, arrived.

Additional Instructions to the Teacher: We are not told what Nicodemus’ reaction was to his meeting with Christ during the interview.

Did he receive a second chance at life?

When Nicodemus asked the Pharisees if any of the rulers or Pharisees had believed in Jesus, they replied, “No one of the rulers or of the Pharisees has believed in Him,” according to John 7:48-49b.

Following our Lord’s death on the cross, we are given additional evidence that Nicodemus may have come to place his trust in Jesus.

Because of his fear of the Jews, Joseph continued to follow Jesus in secret for a while.

He was joined by Nicodemus, the man who had previously visited Jesus in the middle of the night.

The two of them wrapped Jesus’ body in strips of linen, along with the spices, before burying it.

– John 19:38-40 (NASB) Joseph, a secret disciple of Christ, was with Nicodemus when the incident occurred.

Nicodemus and Jesus may have even met in secret before Jesus’ death to discuss His teachings, or it may have been only after Jesus’ death on the cross that Nicodemus came to fully believe in Jesus’ teachings.

Perhaps it was at that point that Nicodemus realized that Jesus had not come for personal gain, but rather to give His life as a ransom for many.

What’s more, it would appear that by this point, Nicodemus was willing to risk everything, including his reputation and even his Pharisee position, in order to care for Jesus’ body.

A blasphemer, in their opinion, would not be entitled to a proper Jewish burial.

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